Nobody in Shawlands would have a bad word to say about him

A fundraising page set up by the devastated customers of a much-loved Muslim shopkeeper who was killed in a “racially prejudiced” attack has so far received more than £22,000 in donations to support his family.

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Four of his regular customers said they decided to set up a ‘Support for Mr Shah’ fundraising page on the Go Fund Me website to contribute towards the cost of his funeral and to provide financial support to his family in the coming months.

The customers wrote on the page: “Mr Shah was a popular, well-respected and much-loved member of our community and his death has devastated many.

“He was a warm and friendly man and he always went out of his way to make time to talk to you – he was more than just our local shopkeeper. He was a friend to many.”

There aren’t enough people like that in the world. We should never waste them.

Isabella Graham, 64, said Mr Shah had employed her daughter at the shop when she was younger and that she had cried when she called and told her of his death.

Placing flowers at the scene, Mrs Graham said: “He was an amazing, wonderful man, he couldn’t do enough for you.

“He wouldn’t hurt anybody. Nobody in Shawlands would have a bad word to say about him. I can’t believe he’s gone.”

Police Scotland said they have arrested a 32-year-old Muslim man in connection with the attack, which they are treating as “religiously prejudiced”.

3 Responses to “Nobody in Shawlands would have a bad word to say about him”

I’m very relieved that the murderer has been arrested. I only hope that there aren’t any more like him out there.

Mr. Shah should still be alive. Killing him hasn’t made the version of Islam followed by his killer any more correct. His death hasn’t made heaven any more real. The murder hasn’t prevented or avenged any injustices, or improved the lot of a single person on this planet.

On the contrary, it has made the world a poorer place. In a week when so many have been kidnapped or killed by extremists claiming religious ‘reasons’, the loss of Mr. Shah serves to underline the total lack of humanity in the perpetrators. If a religion doesn’t lead its adherents to love people, what is its point? Seriously, how is it anything but maladaptive?